Method and apparatus for facsimile capable of communicating with data processing and facsimile machines

ABSTRACT

An Internet facsimile apparatus is provided for eliminating inconveniences possibly experienced by the user when receiving a plurality of electronic mail from the same Internet facsimile apparatus. Since the contents of transmitter unique information is placed in a From field or a Subject field of an electronic mail received from an originating Internet facsimile apparatus, the user can estimate the contents of the electronic mail by referring to the contents of a list of electronic mail information to readily find a desired electronic mail.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/294,681 filed Apr. 19,1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,379.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for facsimile,and more particularly to a method and apparatus for facsimile which iscapable of performing communications with data processing machines suchas personal computers as well as communications with facsimile machines.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, a so-called Internet facsimile apparatus, which isconnected to a local area network linked to an Internet service providerthrough a dedicated line or through a dial-up function, has been used toprovide at least a function of communicating an electronic mail on alocal area network and on the Internet. The apparatus has also been usedto perform a function of transmitting image information using anordinary public line in accordance with a predetermined facsimiletransmission procedure.

The use of such an Internet facsimile apparatus enables, for example,transmission of image information between a workstation (a personalcomputer or the like) connected to a local area network and a facsimileapparatus connected to an ordinary public line external to theworkstation utilizing a relay function of the Internet facsimile, thusproviding a very convenient service.

Also, when the Internet facsimile apparatus is connected to an Internetservice provider through a dedicated line, the use of the relay functionprovided by the Internet facsimile apparatus is highly advantageous inthat communication expenses can be largely reduced for image informationcommunications between facsimile apparatuses located at remote sitesfrom each other, because no extra rate is added for communicationbetween the Internet facsimile apparatuses.

Generally, when an Internet facsimile apparatus is to communicate imageinformation with a workstation connected to a local area network, orcommunicate image information with another Internet facsimile apparatusthrough the Internet, an electronic mail is used as its communicationapplication.

The electronic mail utilizing the Internet, on the other hand, issubject to a data format, protocol and so on defined therefor. Forexample, each electronic mail should contain header information whichincludes a variety of significant information such as the mail addressof an originating user (“From” field), subject information indicative ofthe contents of the main text of information (“Subject” field) and so onas well as the mail address of a destination user (“To” field).

With a conventional Internet facsimile apparatus, however, informationinherent to the Internet facsimile apparatus is added to the “From”field and the “Subject” field in the header information of theelectronic mail irrespective of the user who uses the Internet facsimileapparatus. Therefore, if a plurality of image information transmissionsare delivered from the same Internet facsimile apparatus to a user, theuser will receive a plurality of electronic mails which are onlydifferent in received date and time (or transmitted date and time) buthave the same transmitter name and the same subject name.

Specifically, when the user of a workstation displays a list of receivedelectronic mails, the contents as shown in FIG. 1, for example, aredisplayed on the screen of the workstation.

Thus, the user who has received a plurality of electronic mails from thesame Internet facsimile apparatus cannot know the contents of therespective electronic mails from a list of electronic mails as shown inFIG. 1. If the user desires certain image information, the user mustdisplay the contents of all the electronic mails for finding the desiredimage information, thus experiencing an inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a data processingapparatus which is operatively connected to a local area network,Internet, and a public telephone network, wherein the data processingapparatus is provided with at least functions of transmitting andreceiving electronic mail on the local area network and the Internet andtransmitting and receiving image information in accordance with apredetermined facsimile transmission procedure through the publictelephone network. The data processing apparatus includes a transmitterunique information input mechanism that inputs transmitter uniqueinformation unique to a transmitter and a transmission controller whichis operative when specified destination information is a mail addressupon transmitting image information to transmit the image informationusing electronic mail. Further, the data processing apparatus includesan information controller which is operative when the contents oftransmitter unique information input through the transmitter uniqueinformation input mechanism is a mail address to place the contents ofthe input transmitter unique information in a first specific field ofthe electronic mail, and operative when the contents of the transmitterunique information input through the transmitter unique informationinput mechanism is other than a mail address to place the contents ofthe transmitter unique information in a second specific field of theelectronic mail.

The data processing apparatus may further include a mail attributeinformation input mechanism that inputs an attribute of a mail to betransmitted. If the data processing apparatus has a mail attributeinformation input mechanism, the information controller of the dataprocessing apparatus may be operative when an attribute of a mail to betransmitted is input through the mail attribute information inputmechanism to add the contents of the input attribute to the secondspecific field of the electronic mail.

Preferably, the predetermined facsimile transmission procedure is aGroup 3 facsimile communications procedure.

Also, the first and second specific fields of the electronic mail arepreferably From and Subject fields, respectively.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a data processingapparatus, operatively connected to a local area network, Internet, anda public telephone network, wherein the data processing apparatus isprovided with at least functions of transmitting and receivingelectronic mail on the local area network and the Internet andtransmitting and receiving image information in accordance with apredetermined facsimile transmission procedure through the publictelephone network. The data processing apparatus includes a dialshortening mechanism that specifies destination information with lesskey manipulations, wherein the dial shortening mechanism is additionallyregistered with transmitter unique information unique to a transmitterassociated with the destination information when destination informationis a mail address. The data processing apparatus further includes atransmission controller which is operative when destination informationspecified by the dial shortening mechanism is a mail address upontransmitting image information to transmit the image information usingelectronic mail. Further, the data processing apparatus includes aninformation controller which reads transmitter unique informationassociated with the destination information registered in the dialshortening means. Further, the information controller is operative whenthe contents of the read transmitter unique information is a mailaddress to place the contents of the read transmitter unique informationin a first specific field of the electronic mail, and operative when thecontents of the read transmitter unique information is other than a mailaddress to place the contents of the read transmitter unique informationin a second specific field of the electronic mail.

The data processing apparatus may further include a mail attributeinformation input mechanism that inputs an attribute of a mail to betransmitted. If the data processing apparatus has a mail attributeinformation input mechanism, the information control mechanism isoperative when an attribute of a mail to be transmitted is input throughthe mail attribute information input mechanism to add the contents ofthe input attribute to the second specific field of the electronic mail.

Preferably, the predetermined facsimile transmission procedure is aGroup 3 facsimile communications procedure.

Also, the first and second specific fields of the electronic mail arepreferably From and Subject fields, respectively.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for facsimilewhich includes the steps of operatively connecting a data processingapparatus to a local area network, Internet, and a public telephonenetwork, and providing the data processing apparatus with at leastfunctions of transmitting and receiving electronic mail on the localarea network and the Internet and transmitting and receiving imageinformation in accordance with a predetermined facsimile transmissionprocedure through the public telephone network. The method furtherincludes the steps of inputting transmitter unique information unique toa transmitter, a first step of placing the contents of transmitterunique information in a first specific field of the electronic mail whenthe contents of transmitter unique information input in the transmitterunique information inputting step is a mail address, a second step ofplacing the contents of transmitter unique information in a secondspecific field of the electronic mail when the contents of transmitterunique information input in the transmitter unique information inputtingstep is other than a mail address, and transmitting the imageinformation using electronic mail when specified destination informationdefines a mail address.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a table showing a prior art example of a list of electronicmail information;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a communications system includingan Internet facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of theInternet facsimile apparatus included in the communications system ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of a one-touch dial table used inthe Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart generally illustrating the processing performed bythe Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG. 3 in a direct manipulationmode;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of user transmissionmanipulation processing performed by the Internet facsimile apparatus ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of input informationanalysis processing and header information creation processing performedby the Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 8A–8D are illustrations showing examples of header informationgenerated by the Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a table showing a list of electronic mail information used bythe Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the usertransmission manipulation processing performed by the Internet facsimileapparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the inputinformation analysis processing and the header information creationprocessing performed by the Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a table showing a list of electronic mail information basedon the input information analysis processing and the header informationcreation processing of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a table showing another example of the one-touch dial table;and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary processing for registeringone-touch dial information in the Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustratedin the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake ofclarity. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited tothe specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood thateach specific element includes all technical equivalents which operatein a similar manner.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and moreparticularly to FIG. 2 thereof, there is illustrated a communicationssystem which includes a schematic block diagram of an Internet facsimileapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The communications system of FIG. 2 includes a domain 101 centered on alocal area network 105 installed in the United States, for example, anda domain 111 centered on a local area network 115 installed in Japan,for example. A facsimile apparatus (FAX) 100 is a Group-3 (G3) facsimileapparatus which performs a facsimile transmission operation using aGroup 3 facsimile communications procedure. The facsimile apparatus 100is installed in the United States and uses as a transmission path apublic switched telephone network (PSTN) 108 which includes a pluralityof telephone networks including national and international networks inthe United States and those in Japan. A facsimile apparatus (FAX) 110 inturn is another G3 facsimile apparatus which is installed in Japan andalso uses the PSTN 108 as a transmission path.

The respective domains 101, 111 are connected to their respectiveservice providers (not shown) in the Internet 109 via dedicated linesthrough routers (RTs) 106, 116, respectively.

Each of the domains 101, 111 has a unique network address previously setthereto, with which the domains 101, 111 can mutually transmit datathrough the routers 106, 116 and the Internet 109. The unique networkaddress is derived by dividing an assigned network address by a net maskof a predetermined value applied thereto.

The domain 101 is also provided with client terminals (CTs) 102 and 103(referring to general workstations including personal computers or thelike) connected to the local area network 105, and a mail serverterminal (ST) 104 for providing an Internet facsimile apparatus (IFAX)107 with an electronic mail service. Also, for example, each of theclient terminals 102 and 103, the Internet facsimile apparatus 107 andthe mail server terminal 104 has a unique host address previously setthereto which is formed by combining the network address of the domain101 with a unique address thereof. A user using the domain 101 will havea user address set thereto which is formed by combining a unique username with the host address of the client terminal 102 or 103.

Similarly, the domain 111 is provided with client terminals (CTs) 112and 113 (referring to general workstations including personal computersor the like) connected to the local area network 115, and a mail serverterminal (ST) 114 for providing an Internet facsimile apparatus (IFAX)117 with an electronic mail service. Also, for example, each of theclient terminals 112, 113, the Internet facsimile apparatus 117 and themail server terminal 114 have a unique host address previously setthereto which is formed by combining the network address of the domain111 with a unique address thereof. A user using the domain 111 will havea user address set thereto which is formed by combining a unique username with the host address of the client terminal 112 or 113.

Each Internet facsimile apparatus 107, 117 has a transmission functionfor connecting to the local area network 105, 115 to communicate imageinformation as electronic mail. Each also has a transmission functionfor connecting to the public switched telephone network 108 to transmitimage information in accordance with a G3 facsimile transmissionprocedure using the public switched telephone network 108 as atransmission path.

Basically, communication of data between terminals connected to thelocal area networks 105, 115, and communication of data through theInternet 109 are performed in accordance with a combination of atransmission protocol up to a transport layer generally referred to asTCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and acommunications protocol for layers at higher levels (a so-calledprotocol suit). For example, for communication of data in the form ofelectronic mail, a communications protocol referred to as SMTP (SimpleMail Transfer Protocol) is applied to a communications protocol forlayers at higher levels.

In this embodiment, electronic mail is transmitted as an accumulationdelivery type transmission in which the electronic mail is accumulatedin the associated mail servers 104, 114, and then delivered torespective destinations. In this event, if the value of a destinationaddress (later described) added to an electronic mail includes thenetwork address set for the associated domain 101 or 111, the electronicmail is accumulated as it is in the corresponding mail server terminal104 or 114. If the value of a destination address added to an electronicmail includes a value other than the network address set for theassociated domain 101 or 111, the electronic mail is sent to theInternet 109 through the router 106 or 116, and then transmitted to anappropriate domain, host or the like having a network addresscorresponding to the value of the destination address by a data transferfunction provided by the Internet 109.

As a protocol used at each terminal to confirm with the associated mailserver terminal 104 or 114 regarding the reception of electronic maildestined to the user, a so-called POP (Post Office Protocol) or the likeis used.

Since electronic mail cannot directly contain binary data, apredetermined converting method (for example, Base 64 encoding method)is applied to convert binary data to readable information (7-bitcharacter codes), and then the converted readable information isincluded in the electronic mail. The form of such an electronic mail isreferred to as a MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions; accordingto RFC 1521 and RFC1522) format, and the conversion processing forcreating main text information in the MIME form is referred to as a MIMEconversion.

Communication protocols such as TCP/IP, SMTP, POP and so on, a dataformat, data structure and so on of the electronic mail are defined byRFC (Request For Comments) documents which are published by the IETF(Internet Engineering Task Force) that collects technical contentsrelated to the Internet. For example, TCP is defined by RFC793; IP byRFC793; SMTP by RFC821; and formats for electronic mail are defined byRFC822, RFC1521, RFC1522 (MIME format) and so on.

Next, an exemplary configuration of the Internet facsimile apparatus 107and 117 is explained with reference to FIG. 3. Since the configurationof the Internet facsimile apparatus 107 is similar to that of theInternet facsimile apparatus 117, the following description exemplarilydescribes only the Internet facsimile apparatus 107. In FIG. 3, a systemcontroller 1 performs control processing for each section of theInternet facsimile apparatus 107, as well as a variety of controlprocessing procedures such as a procedure for performing a facsimiletransmission control procedure. A system memory 2 stores controlprocessing programs executed by the system controller 1, and a varietyof data required to execute the processing programs. System memory 2also serves as a work area for the system controller 1. A parametermemory 3 stores a variety of information unique to the Internetfacsimile apparatus 107, while a time counting circuit 4 outputs currenttime information.

A scanner 5 reads an original image at a predetermined resolution, whilea plotter 6 records or outputs an image at a predetermined resolution. Amanipulation display 7 is provided for the user to manipulate theInternet facsimile apparatus 107, and includes a variety of indicatorsand a variety of manipulation keys for inputting a variety ofinformation including data and instructions.

An encoder/decoder 8 compresses/encodes an original image signal, anddecodes/decompresses encoded image information back to its originalform. An image storage unit 9 stores a number of compressed/encodedimage information.

A G3 facsimile modem 10 is provided for implementing a modem functionfor the G3 facsimile, and has a low speed model function (V.21 modem)for communicating transmission procedure signals, and a high speed modemfunction (V17 modem, V.34 modem, V.29 modem, V.27ter modem and so on)mainly for communicating image information.

A network controller 11 connects the Internet facsimile apparatus 107 tothe public switched telephone line network 108, and has an automatictransmission/reception function.

A local area network interface circuit 12 connects the Internetfacsimile apparatus 107 to a local area network, while a local areanetwork transmission controller 13 executes a communications controlprocessing procedure for a predetermined protocol suite to communicate avariety of data with another data terminal through a local area networkand the Internet.

The system controller 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, timecounting circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, manipulation display 7,encoder/decoder 8, image storage device 9, G3 facsimile modem 10,network controller 11 and local area network transmission controller 13are interconnected through an internal bus 14, so that communications ofdata between these components are performed mainly through the internalbus 14. On the other hand, communications of data are directly performedbetween the network controller 11 and the G3 facsimile modem 10.

The thus-configured Internet facsimile apparatus 107 allows a user todirectly manipulate the apparatus to transmit image information to theusers of the client terminals 102, 103 and the client terminals 112,113. Such an operation mode is referred to as a direct manipulationmode.

It should be noted however that manipulation keys provided on themanipulation display 7 of the Internet facsimile apparatus 107 suffersfrom a poor operability as compared with a keyboard attached to theclient terminals 102, 103, 112, 113, for example, from a viewpoint of anavailable area and design unification.

To eliminate such poor operability, a one-touch dial key is provided toenable not only a telephone number of a destination but also a mailaddress of the destination user and the mail address of an originatinguser to be registered therein. The one-touch dial key herein refers toan input mechanism for use in a one-touch dial function which allows theuser to specify or input a telephone number or the like only throughmanipulation of a single key (one-touch dial key).

For this purpose, a one-touch dial table, for example, as shown in FIG.4 is stored in the Internet facsimile apparatus 107. Preferably, such aone-touch dial table is stored in the system memory 2, for example.

Each record in the one-touch dial table includes an item number foridentifying each one-touch dial, a registered number for registering atelephone number or a mail address, and a registered name forregistering a name associated with the registered number. In this case,a mail address registered as a registered number and an originating username registered as a registered name may be used as transmitter uniqueinformation.

Next, an exemplary procedure of an operation in the direct manipulationmode of the Internet facsimile apparatus 107 is explained with referenceto FIG. 5. First, the user performs a transmission manipulation (usertransmission manipulation: Step S101). In the user transmissionmanipulation, the user sets an original to be transmitted in the scanner5, inputs a mail address of a destination user, his own mail address andso on, and depresses a start key to instruct the Internet facsimileapparatus 107 to start a transmission operation.

Then, the contents input through the manipulation in the usertransmission manipulation processing (Step S101) are analyzed (StepS102), and header information is created for an electronic mail inaccordance with the result of analysis on the input information (StepS103). Then, the original to be transmitted is read by the scanner, andthe resulting image data is compressed/encoded by the encoder/decoder 8to create transmitted image information (Step S104). The transmittedimage information is converted to the MIME format (Step S105) to createmain text information for the electronic mail. Finally, the electronicmail including the header information created at Step S103 and the maintext information created at Step S105 is transmitted to the associatedmail server (Step S106).

Next, an exemplary procedure of the user transmission manipulationoperation performed in Step S101 is explained in more detail withreference to FIG. 6. The originating user first sets an original to betransmitted in the scanner 5 (Step S201). Then, the user inputsinformation on the destination using the one-touch key (Step S202). Inthis event, the destination information such as the mail address of thedestination user may be input using keys on the direct manipulationdisplay 7.

Then, the originating user depresses a pause key (not shown) arranged onthe manipulation display 7 (Step S203), and inputs transmitter uniqueinformation such as the mail address given to himself and so on usingthe one-touch key or keys on the manipulation display 7 (Step S204). Thetransmitter unique information may be the name of department or sectionto which the user belongs, his own name, or the like, other than themail address. In some cases, the originating user may omit the entry ofthe transmitter unique information at Step S204. Finally, the userdepresses a start key (not shown) arranged on the manipulation display 7(Step S205), thus terminating the user transmission manipulationprocessing.

Next, an exemplary procedure of an exemplary combined operation of theinput information analysis operation performed in Step S102 and theheader information creation operation performed in Step S103 isexplained in more detail by reference to FIG. 7. It is first examinedwhether a transmission destination is a mail address (Step S301). Anormal facsimile transmission processing (step S302) is executed if theresult at Step S301 is NO.

Conversely, if the result at Step S301 is YES, it is determined whethernext input information is present (Step S303). If the result at StepS303 is NO, an apparatus unique address set to the Internet facsimileapparatus 107 (in this case, “inet-fax@abcd.co.jp”) is entered in theFrom field of the header information, and unique contents set to theInternet facsimile apparatus 107 (in this case, “FAX Message fromInternet FAX”) are entered in the Subject field of the headerinformation (Step 304), for example as shown in FIG. 8A, followed by thetermination of this processing.

Conversely, if the result at Step S303 is YES, it is determined whetherthe contents of the input information is a mail address (Step S305). Ifthe result at Step S305 is YES, the input mail address (in this case,“user1@abcd.co.jp”) is entered in the From field of the headerinformation, and unique contents set to the Internet facsimile apparatus107 (in this case, “FAX Message from Internet FAX”) are entered in theSubject field (Step S306), for example as shown in FIG. 8B, followed bythe termination of this processing.

Conversely, if the result at Step S305 is NO, the apparatus uniqueaddress set to the Internet facsimile apparatus 107 (in this case,“inet-fax@abcd.co.jp”) is entered in the From field of the headerinformation, and the contents of input transmitter unique information(in this case, “FAX Message from [Originating User Name 1]”) is enteredin the Subject field (Step S307), for example as shown in FIG. 8C,followed by the termination of this processing. This is the case where[Originating User Name 1] has been input as the transmitter uniqueinformation.

Thus, the user who has received electronic mail from the Internetfacsimile apparatus 107 can be provided with information regarding theelectronic mail in the form of a list, for example, as shown in FIG. 9,which permits the user to estimate the contents of the respectiveelectronic mails from the displayed contents of subject names (thecontents of the Subject fields in the received electronic mails) or fromthe displayed contents of transmitter names (the contents of the Fromfields in the received electronic mails), and readily find a desiredelectronic mail.

Next, another exemplary procedure of the operation of the usertransmission manipulation performed in Step S101 is explained withreference to FIG. 10. First, the originating user sets an original to betransmitted on the scanner 5 (Step S401). Then, the user inputsdestination information regarding a transmission destination using theone-touch key (Step S402). In this event, the destination informationsuch as a mail address of a destination user may be directly input usingkeys on the manipulation display 7.

Then, the originating user depresses the pause key (not shown) arrangedon the manipulation display 7 (Step S403), and inputs the transmitterunique information such as the mail address given to himself using theone-touch key or keys on the manipulation display 7 (Step S404). Thetransmitter unique information may be the name of a department or asection to which the user belongs, his own name, or the like, other thanthe mail address. In some cases, the originating user may omit inputtingthe transmitter unique information at Step S404.

Then, the user again depresses the pause key (Step S405), and inputs thecontents of an attribute of a mail to be transmitted, for example,“urgent,” “important” or the like (Step S406). Such attribute may beinput only through selection of a one-touch key if several attributeshave been previously registered in one-touch keys. Alternatively, themanipulation display 7 may be provided with special keys for inputtingan attribute such that the user may manipulate the attribute keys toinput an attribute. In some cases, the originating user may omitinputting the attribute.

Finally, the user depresses the start key (not shown) arranged on themanipulation display 7 (Step S407), followed by termination of the usertransmission manipulation operation.

Next, another exemplary procedure of an exemplary combined operation ofthe input information analysis operation performed in Step S102 and theheader information creation operation performed in Step S103 isexplained with reference to FIG. 11. First, it is determined whether atransmission destination is a mail address (Step S501). If the result atStep S501 is NO, normal facsimile transmission processing is executed(Step S502).

Conversely, if the result at Step S501 is YES, it is determined whethernext input information is present (Step S503). If the result at StepS503 is NO, the apparatus unique address set to the Internet facsimileapparatus 107 (in this case, “inet-fax@abcd.co.jp”) is entered in theFrom field of the header information, and unique contents set to theInternet facsimile apparatus 107 (in this case, “FAX Message fromInternet FAX”) is entered in the Subject field (Step S504), for example,as shown in FIG. 8A.

Conversely, if the result at Step S503 is YES, it is examined whether ornot the contents of input information is a mail address (Step S505). Ifthe result at Step S505 is YES, the input mail address (in this case,“user1@abcd.co.jp”) is entered in the From field of the headerinformation, and the unique contents set to the Internet facsimileapparatus 107 (in this case, “FAX Message from Internet FAX”) areentered in the Subject field (Step S506), for example, as shown in FIG.8B.

Conversely, if the result at Step S505 is NO, the apparatus uniqueaddress set to the Internet facsimile apparatus 107 (in this case,“inet-fax@abcd.co.jp”) is entered in the From field of the headerinformation, and the contents of the input transmitter uniqueinformation (in this case, “FAX Message from [Originating User Name 1])is entered in the Subject field (Step S507), for example, as shown inFIG. 8C.

When the From field and the Subject field have been fully entered in themanner described above, it is next determined whether any attribute hasbeen entered (Step S508). If the result at Step S508 is YES, thecontents of the Subject field are replaced with the previously enteredcontents plus the contents of an attribute additionally entered at thattime (Step S509), for example, as shown in FIG. 8D, followed by thetermination of this operation. In the example shown in FIG. 8D,“<Urgent>” is added as the contents of an attribute.

Conversely, if the result at Step S508 is NO, the processing isterminated without any further actions. In this case, therefore, theuser who has received electronic mail from the Internet facsimileapparatus 107 can be provided with information regarding the electronicmail in the form of list, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, whichpermits the user to estimate the contents of the respective electronicmails from the displayed contents of subject names or transmitter names,and readily find a desired electronic mail.

In addition, since the attributes of the mail are simultaneouslydisplayed in the list, the user can also know the importance, urgencyand so on of electronic mail, thereby facilitating a search for aparticular electronic mail and significantly improving the usability ofthe Internet facsimile apparatus.

As an alternative structure for the one-touch dial table, when mailaddresses of a destination user and an originating user are registeredin pairs as shown in FIG. 13, an originating user can conveniently inputa mail address of a destination user and the mail address of his own(source mail address) only through manipulation on a single one-touchdial key.

In this case, a mail address of a registered number registered in aninput on-touch dial key may be used as a destination mail address, whilea source mail address may be used as a mail address input as transmitterunique information in the input information analysis and headerinformation creation operations performed in Steps S102 and S103 of FIG.5, respectively.

Next, an exemplary procedure of an operation for registering one-touchdial information in this case is explained with reference to FIG. 14.First, as destination number information has been registered (StepS601), it is examined whether or not the registered contents is a mailaddress (Step S602). If the result at Step S602 is YES, a guidancemessage for inquiring whether the user inputs his own address, forexample, “Do you input your address? (YES/NO)” is displayed (Step S603).

If the user responds with “YES” to the guidance message (the result atStep S604 is YES), the From address, i.e., the source mail address isregistered (Step S605).

Conversely, if the user responds with “NO” to the guidance message (theresult at Step S604 is NO), this operation is terminated withoutregistering the transmitter mail address.

In this way, the user can register a one-touch dial key with adestination mail address and his own mail address (source mail address).

While in the foregoing embodiment, the originating user name is used asthe transmitter unique information to be registered in the one-touchdial table, other transmitter unique information than that may also beregistered. For example, the name of a company or a department, or anickname may be registered instead.

Also, while in the foregoing embodiment one piece of information isentered as the transmitter unique information, two or more pieces oftransmitter unique information may be entered, in which case, a mailaddress may be placed in the From field, and other information in theSubject field.

Further, while the foregoing embodiments describe a PSTN as the publicnetwork connected to the Internet facsimile apparatus, the presentinvention is also applicable in a similar manner when ISDN or other typeof network is applied as a public network.

This invention may be conveniently implemented using a conventionalgeneral purpose digital computer programmed according to the teachingsof the present specification, as will be apparent to those skilled inthe computer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared byskilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, aswill be apparent to those skilled in the software art. The presentinvention may also be implemented by the preparation of applicationspecific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriatenetwork of conventional component circuits, as will be readily apparentto those skilled in the art.

Numerous additional modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, thepresent invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

This document is based on Japanese Patent Application No. JPAP10-123939filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Apr. 20, 1998, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. A network facsimile apparatus comprising: an e-mail transmitting andreceiving mechanism configured to transmit and receive an e-mail; aninformation inputting mechanism configured to input destinationinformation and individual-specific user information inherent to anindividual-specific user who sends said e-mail; and a communicationcontroller configured to: transmit image information from the networkfacsimile apparatus using facsimile transmission when said inputdestination information, associated with the image information, does notinclude an e-mail address; transmit the image information using saide-mail through the e-mail transmitting and receiving mechanism when saidinput destination information, associated with the image information,includes the e-mail address, set a value of a “From” field of a headerof said e-mail to a calling e-mail address specific to saidindividual-specific user and set a value of “Subject” field of saide-mail to unique contents set to the network facsimile apparatus whenthe calling e-mail address is included in the individual-specific userinformation input through the information inputting mechanism, and setthe value of the “From” field of the header of said e-mail to anapparatus unique address of the network facsimile apparatus and set thevalue of “Subject” field of said e-mail to the individual-specific userinformation when the calling e-mail address is not included in theindividual-specific user information, wherein said values of “From” and“Subject” fields of said e-mail are used by recipient of said e-mail forestimating the content of said e-mail.
 2. The network facsimileapparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising: an e-mail propertyinformation inputting mechanism configured to enter property informationassociated with said e-mail to be transmitted, wherein the communicationcontroller adds contents of the e-mail property information to the valueof “Subject” field of said e-mail when the e-mail property informationis entered through the e-mail property information inputting mechanism.3. The network facsimile apparatus of claim 1, wherein the callinge-mail address corresponding to the individual-specific user informationinput through the information inputting mechanism is written in the“From” field of the header of the e-mail.
 4. The network facsimileapparatus of claim 1, wherein the value of the “From” field of theheader of the e-mail is set to a mail address registered to the usersending the e-mail.
 5. A network facsimile apparatus as defined in claim1, wherein the communication controller analyzes the individual-specificuser information, and sets the “From” field of the header of the e-mailaccording to the analysis.
 6. A network facsimile apparatus as definedin claim 1, wherein the communication controller is configured to set avalue of “Subject” field of said e-mail to unique contents set to thenetwork facsimile apparatus when no individual-specific user informationis registered or when the calling e-mail address is included in theregistered individual-specific user information.
 7. A network facsimileapparatus, comprising; an e-mail transmitting and receiving mechanismconfigured to transmit and receive an e-mail; a speed dialing mechanismconfigured to enter destination information with a reduced number of keymanipulations and to register individual-specific user informationinherent to at least one individual-specific user who sends said e-mailto an e-mail address associated with the destination information; and acommunication controller configured to: transmit image information fromthe network facsimile apparatus using facsimile transmission when saidentered destination information associated with the image informationdoes not include the e-mail address; transmit the image informationusing said e-mail through the e-mail transmitting and receivingmechanism when said entered destination information designated by saidspeed dialing mechanism in association with the image informationincludes the e-mail address, and read the individual-specific userinformation registered in association with the destination information,set a value of a “From” field of a header of said e-mail to a callinge-mail address specific to said individual-specific user and set a valueof “Subject” field of said e-mail to unique contents set to the networkfacsimile apparatus when the calling e-mail address is included in theindividual-specific user information, and set the value of the “From”field of the header of said e-mail to an apparatus unique address of thenetwork facsimile apparatus and set a value of “subject” field of saide-mail to the individual-specific user information when the callinge-mail address is not included in the registered individual-specificuser information, wherein said values of “From” and “Subject” fields ofsaid e-mail are used by recipient of said e-mail for estimating thecontent of said e-mail.
 8. The network facsimile apparatus as defined inclaim 7, further comprising: an e-mail property information inputtingmechanism configured to enter property information associated with saide-mail to be transmitted, wherein the communication controller addscontents of the e-mail property information to the value of “Subject”field of said e-mail when the e-mail property information is enteredthrough the e-mail property information inputting mechanism.
 9. Anetwork facsimile method, comprising: inputting destination informationand individual-specific user information inherent to at least oneindividual-specific user who sends an e-mail; transmitting imageinformation from a network facsimile apparatus using facsimiletransmission when said input destination information associated with theimage information does not include an e-mail address; transmitting theimage information from the network facsimile apparatus using said e-mailwhen said input destination information associated with the imageinformation includes the e-mail address; setting a value of a “From”field of a header of said e-mail to a calling e-mail address specific tosaid individual-specific user and setting a value of “Subject” field ofsaid e-mail to unique contents set to the network facsimile apparatuswhen the calling e-mail address is included in the individual-specificuser information; and setting the value of the “From” field of theheader of said e-mail to an apparatus unique address of the networkfacsimile apparatus and setting the value of “Subject” field of saide-mail to the individual-specific user information when the callinge-mail address is not included in the individual-specific userinformation, wherein said values of “From” and “Subject” fields of saide-mail are used by recipient of said e-mail for estimating the contentof said e-mail.
 10. the network facsimile apparatus as defined in claim9, further comprising: input e-mail property information associated withe-mail to be transmitted; and adding contents of the propertyinformation to the value of the “Subject” field of said e-mail thee-mail property information is input.
 11. A network facsimile method,comprising: entering destination information with a reduced number ofkey manipulations; registering individual-specific user informationinherent to at least one individual person who sends e-mail to an e-mailaddress associated with the destination information; reading theindividual-specific user information registered in association with thedestination information; transmitting image information from a networkfacsimile apparatus using facsimile transmission when said entereddestination information, associated with the image information, does notinclude the e-mail address; transmitting the image information from thenetwork facsimile apparatus using said e-mail when said entereddestination information, associated with the image information, includesthe e-mail address; setting a value of a “From” field of a header ofsaid e-mail to a calling e-mail address specific to said individualperson and setting a value of “subject” field of said e-mail to uniquecontents set to the network facsimile apparatus when the calling e-mailaddress is included in the read individual-specific user information,and setting the value of the “From” field of the header of said e-mailto an apparatus unique address of the network facsimile apparatus andsetting the value of “Subject” field of said e-mail to theindividual-specific user information when the calling e-mail address isnot included in the registered individual-specific user informationwherein said values of “From” and “Subject” fields of said e-mail areused by recipient of said e-mail for estimating the content of saide-mail.
 12. The network facsimile method as defined in claim 11, furthercomprising: inputting property information associated with said e-mailto be transmitted, adding contents of the property information to thevalue of the “Subject” field of said e-mail when said e-mail propertyinformation is input.
 13. A network facsimile apparatus, comprising:inputting means for inputting destination information andindividual-specific user information inherent to at least oneindividual-specific user who sends e-mail; means for transmitting imageinformation from the network facsimile apparatus using facsimiletransmission when said input destination information, associated withthe image information, does not include an e-mail address; means fortransmitting the image information using said e-mail when said inputdestination information, associated with the image information, includesthe e-mail address; means for setting a value of a “From” field of aheader of said e-mail to a calling e-mail address specific to saidindividual-specific user and setting a value of “Subject” field of saide-mail to unique contents set to the network facsimile apparatus whenthe calling e-mail address is included in the individual-specific userinformation; and means for setting the value of the “From” field of theheader of said e-mail to an apparatus unique address of the networkfacsimile apparatus and setting the value of “Subject” field of saide-mail to the individual-specific user information when the callinge-mail address is not included in the individual-specific userinformation, wherein said values of “From” and “Subject” fields of saide-mail are used by recipient of said e-mail for estimating the contentof said e-mail.
 14. The network facsimile apparatus as defined in claim13, further comprising: inputting means for inputting e-mail propertyinformation associated with said e-mail to be transmitted; and addingmeans for adding contents of the property information to the value ofthe “Subject” field of said e-mail when the e-mail property informationis input.
 15. A network facsimile method, comprising: means for enteringdestination information with a reduced number of key manipulations;registering means for registering individual-specific user informationinherent to at least one individual-specific user who sends an e-mail toan e-mail address associated with the destination information; readingmeans for reading the individual-specific user information registered inassociation with the destination information; means for transmittingimage information from a network facsimile apparatus using facsimiletransmission when said entered destination information, associated withthe image information, does not include the e-mail address; means fortransmitting the image information from the network facsimile apparatususing said e-mail when said entered destination information, associatedwith the image information, includes the e-mail address; setting meansfor setting a value of a “From” field of a header of said e-mail to acalling e-mail address specific to said individual person and setting avalue of “subject” field of said e-mail to unique contents set to thenetwork facsimile apparatus when the calling e-mail address is includedin the individual-specific user information; and means for setting thevalue of the “From” field of the header of said e-mail to an apparatusunique address of the network facsimile apparatus and setting the valueof “Subject” field of said e-mail to the individual-specific userinformation when the calling e-mail address is not included in theregistered individual-specific user information, wherein said values of“From” and “Subject” fields of said e-mail are used by recipient of saide-mail for estimating the content of said e-mail.
 16. The networkfacsimile apparatus as defined in claim 15, further comprising:inputting means for inputting property information associated with saide-mail to be transmitted, adding means for adding contents of theproperty information to the value of the “Subject” field of said e-mailwhen the e-mail property information is input.